The great thing about duffel bags is that they can act as an extension to your outfit, much more so than cabin luggage. They’re made with everything from suede, to leather, to nylon, to recycled polyesters, and in general, the higher the price, the better the duffel bag. Sometimes you just can’t beat quality.
Another duffel bag or holdall benefit is practicality. Everything is just so much easier to grab with open-top zippered access, such as passports, keys, phones… whatever you need to enjoy your recreational time or business trips! The handles also make it super easy to carry, particularly when navigating busy airports and hotels in the center of town.
One key consideration when you make your first or next purchase is the size. Think about what you take away with you regularly that will take up a fair bit of space, like jumpers, boots, or sportswear, and get an understanding of how that translates into litres. And if you tend to take an extra pair of shoes and multiple outfits, you’ll have to ensure the bag has enough volume to fit those in.
A good duffel bag really is a must for the modern man, whether you’re heading to inter-state meetings or a stag weekend in Amsterdam. Below are the best brands of duffel bags for men that’ll elevate your luggage game, and may earn you that upgrade to first class.
Db
Db was created to provide premium luggage specifically designed to carry sports gear. After a whirlwind of success, they expanded to all types of luggage, including duffel and weekend bags. Available in a few different styles and sizes, Db's sleek bags are all made with durable coated nylon, and are spacious with multiple compartments for ultimate organisation.
Kodiak Leather Co.
These beautiful rustic looking bags by Kodiak Leather Co. are designed to last; seriously. Kodiak pride themselves on creating "heirloom quality leather pieces that you can pass on to your children". Their range of bags include high-quality canvas and leather weekender and duffel bags, all spacious and elegantly designed.
Bellroy
For a smart-casual looking bag that takes organisation to the next level, you need a Bellroy duffel bag. Their Weekender Bag is made from water resistant fabric, comes in two sizes, and features a padded 13 inch laptop sleeve, internal pop pockets for shoes, and a spacious zip front pocket for headphones, toiletries, and travel documents. The Weekender Bag is perfect for everyday use and for weekends away.
Rogue Industries
While Rogue Industries doesn't have a huge selection of duffel or weekend bags, the old saying "quality over quantity" certainly applies here. Rogue Industries have a canvas and a leather duffel bag, both of which are spacious, stylishly designed, and well-made. The canvas duffel bag is waxed for water resistance, and the leather duffel bag is crafted with full grain leather for durability. Depending on your needs, choose the bag best for you; but honestly, both of these bags are superb.
Briggs & Riley
If you're after a larger duffel bag , particularly for business trips, Briggs & Riley is the best brand for you. Their range of duffel bags are on the large side of the duffel bag scale, are minimalistically designed, and are incredibly practical and versatile. Their Suiter Duffle Bag doubles as hanging garment bag; perfect for when you need to take a suit with you on a trip.
ZERO Halliburton
ZERO Halliburton's core values are resilience, reliability, and cutting-edge design, and their range of duffel bags embody these values to the utmost. All of the bags feature the same sleek, modern design, and are crafted with water resistant nylon tricot and polyester twill, for durability. All bags are roomy, and extremely functional. Trust us, ZERO Halliburton nylon and twill weekender and duffel bags for men do not disappoint.
Paul Smith
Renowned for creative aesthetics, British designer, Paul Smith, combines tradition and modernity, and his duffel bag collection is no exception. These bags for men will turn heads with their playful and colourful designs, and will elevate your style. Paul Smith duffel bags are on the smaller side, so they're perfect for everyday use and weekend trips.
Paravel
All of Paravel's bags are made from their signature Ecocraft Canvas (made from upcycled water bottles), are coated in silicone for durability and stain resistance, and are finished with eco-certified leather handles and trimming. Each duffel and weekender bag is roomy, stylish, and can be personalised with your initials. Available in a variety of styles, sizes, and fun colours, a Paravel bag is stylish and practical, but will also make you feel good about yourself for buying an eco-friendly bag.
YETI
For a seriously durable bag that you can take anywhere, and we mean anywhere, you can't go wrong with YETI. Their range of duffel bags for men include water and abrasion resistant duffel bags, and waterproof and puncture resistant duffel bags, perfect for more turbulent travelling such as whitewater rafting or deep sea fishing. YETI's duffel bags are practical with divider panels and multiple compartments, and are sturdy for easy packing and unpacking. Available in bright and demure classic colours, these are the perfect duffel bags for men who love adventure.
Herschel Supply
If you like that vintage look at a cheaper price then Herschel have you covered. As well as their popular range of backpacks the Canadian brand also produces duffel bags, like this Supply Novel design. At 42.5 litres it holds enough to keep you in clean pants for a long weekend and can even double up as a sports bag. It’s made from synthetic leather and has a handy compartment that keeps your manky shoes separate from clothing.
Everlane
Is there anything Everlane doesn't make or do well? We're struggling to think of any answer other than no. The American direct-to-consumer brand is a go-to brand for practically any need you might have, which includes weekend bags.
The Twill Weekender is made from a fully water-resistant cotton twill fabric for a healthy of dose of luxury. Inside you're presented with one expanse of space for all your clothes or items, along with an internal flap for the smaller things such as a passport or wallet.
WANDRD
If you're someone who needs to transport a fair amount of camera equipment, but also wants to look good in the process, then check out WANDRD. The crowd-funded company has experienced soaring popularity since it launched, proving to be a bag company of choice for photographers, travellers and commuters alike.
The HEXAD Carryall Travel Duffle takes on a backpack design, with a padded back panel and sternum strap to help support heavier weights. It's made from a range of weatherproof materials and can be had in either a 40-litre carry on size, or 60-litres if extra space is a necessity.
RAINS
Specialists in everything waterproof, Rains are probably better known for their raincoats. But these Danish designers are astute in that they realise it’s not just our bodies we like to keep dry when on the move - and in response they've come up with this stylish Weekend Bag. It’s made from blend polyester and polyurethane fabrics that keep the rain off your travel essentials. There’s also a detachable shoulder strap for if your hands get tired, and a zip closure with buttoned carry handles.
Troubadour
You couldn’t discuss overnight bags without bringing up Troubadour. The brand may be relatively new to the market, but their duffles have certainly made a quick impression. Take their Adventure weekend bag, for example, a very classy, versatile accessory that’s made from waterproof canvas fabrics. It features leather roll top handles and an internal laptop compartment, and looks amazing with both office and smart casual attire. A must for anyone who is serious about how they look.
The North Face
If you’re considering a longer adventure where the weather might become a factor, then North Face is more than a solid option. They always seem to get it just right, as they have with this Base Camp Duffle XXL, which holds an impressive 150 litres of your travel essentials. It’s a highly durable option that is made from TPE fabrics and Ballistic Nylon. There are two main compartments equipped with compression straps and a handy waterproof ID pocket at the top. Add to that a D-Zip opening and a mesh storage bag and you’ll be set for any weekend expedition.
Hugo Boss
The Germans are renowned for their efficiency and modern, minimalist take on design. And you could say that this cultural ethos stems from one of their most celebrated names, Hugo Boss. The designers who now work under the name follow suit and create outstanding bags such as this Italian Holdall. It’s crafted, as you might expect, using Italian leather with a straw-like embossed texture. It’s boxy shape means that it feels compact but carries a decent volume, ideal for regular use.
Miansai
Californian accessory specialists Miansai proudly make everything in-house. Every step of the process from concept to production is done by their small, dedicated team of artisans. As well as jewellery and necklaces, the brand also produces bags, like this exceptional Duval Duffle. It’s made with genuine Italian cowhide and looks great with virtually any type of wardrobe combination for great wardrobe versatility. It also features interior and exterior pockets and brass finishings.
Bennett Winch
A good holdall can be a thing of beauty, a timeless creation that will be used forever when made by the right hands. Enter Bennett Winch, a relatively young British brand that’s ahead of its years, who designs amazing bags. Their SC Holdall is a wonderfully designed suit carrier that oozes class and style. It’s handmade, using a mix of British dyed waterproof cotton canvas and twill, along with premium Italian leather. It features an external pocket for passports, key and wallets, with a fully removable shoe bag and a slimline coat hanger. The ultimate business trip bag.
Away
It’s hard to achieve ultimate style without thinking about price in the bag world, especially when it comes to a duffle bag. But, Away seems to have struck a nice balance with this tidy Everywhere Bag. It’s made from a mix of nylon and leather, much like a lot of the luxury options on the market, and holds up to 20 litres of your favourite garments and accessories. It also features a more than useful laptop pocket, a hidden exterior pocket and a zippered pouch perfect for a small umbrella. A really well-thought-out practical design that doesn’t sacrifice style.
Porsche Design
Weekend away in your two-seater Porsche on the horizon? There's quite literally no better bag to pop in the less-than-capacious front trunk than a Porsche Design weekender bag. Crafted from quality leather and sporting a large main compartment and a separate front pocket that's also a decent size, you'll easily be able to fit in a number of shirts, some shoes and all your grooming essentials.
Harber London
Pushing themselves towards to the front of the line of producers of incredibly high-quality leather goods is Harber London. The British brand has only been in the game a few years but has made a serious impact since arriving on the leather goods scene. With a solid selection of wallets and tech cases and accessories under its belt, it's no surprise Harber London also makes some damn fine bags.
They include this Leather Weekender bag, which will happily stow away in most aeroplane cabins. The handles are "mega comfortable" and you get a huge inner compartment for your clothes and seven pockets on the outside for smaller items. It's handmade in Spain from full grain vegetable tanned cowhide leather that simply exudes luxury.
Montblanc
As Montblanc specialises in luxury office items, it would be foolish of them not to have a few clever holdall designs for their client’s professional business needs. This Sartorial Jet Duffle is just that, a light and elegant bag ideal for trips that require smart attire. It’s made with a combination of nylon fabric and Italian split calf-skin handles and trimmings, and sits firmly in the high-end price bracket.
Bric’s
Standing at the front of luxury travel bags since the 1950s, Italian brand Bric’s always produce exquisite designs that demand attention. This Cargo Duffle from their MyLife collection is the ideal bag for those spontaneous weekend trips away when a durable holdall is required. It’s made from a synthetic PVC exterior with a fine soft interior liner. All the trimmings are made from premium leather that ages with style, and there’s even a TSA approved lock to keep your valuables safe.
Smythson
If it can be made with leather then Smythson can turn it into something beautiful. The London brand is Britain’s most well-known leather maker. If you wanted the perfect example of what a duffle bag should look and feel like, you wouldn’t be far off perfect with their Ludlow design. It’s made from high-grade black grain leather, with smooth, calfskin handles that are rounded for added comfort. A piece that is made to stay soft and subtle over time, it’s a truly fantastic bag that will make you the envy of many!
WANT Les Essentiels
Founded in Montreal back in 2007, Want Les Essentiels produce a wide range of clothing and accessories for modern travellers and adventurers who like to look the business. This Hartsfield tote bag is a great little snapshot of what the brand is about, in that it is made from high-quality fabrics (nylon and leather) with a touch of refined minimalism. It features internal pouch pockets, a two-way zip fastening and can hold up to 37 litres of your most treasured items.
Hershan
This fresh, young Sydney-based brand has arrived with a mission to create thoughtfully designed produces that are timeless and ones that will endure years of use.
Hershan's first product is the Utility Tote bag, available in small, medium and large sizes. The lack of closure on top makes it more suitable for weekend getaways in the car as opposed to checking into an aeroplane's cargo hold, but being handcrafted in Portugal and being made from consciously sourced cotton, it will accompany you for years and years.
Made on mid-century looms that results in zero cutting waste adds to its environmentally-friendly credentials. We also happen to think it looks damn fantastic, no matter which colour you choose.
